SHAWN DIGIANFELICE

Sports Writer

The Community Vikings had a hard time getting the bats going against a tough Loretto pitching staff on Monday and Tuesday, but fought back to split a pair of games against Central Magnet to close out the week.

Loretto – 10, Community – 0

Community couldn’t recover from an early deficit Monday night, falling 10-0 to Loretto after the Mustangs struck quickly and never let up.

Loretto took advantage of an error to push across the game’s first run in the opening inning, then broke things open in the second. The Mustangs plated five runs in the frame, highlighted by a three-run home run from Mason Tidwell that stretched the lead to 6-0.

The momentum continued in the third, as Loretto added four more runs behind RBI singles from Brayden Bennett, Casen Springer and Tidwell to build a commanding 10-0 advantage.

Community struggled to find any offensive rhythm, finishing without a hit and striking out 10 times. The Vikings’ only baserunner reached via walk.

Isaiah Beech took the loss on the mound, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) on eight hits over 2 1/3 innings. Maddox Thompson provided a bright spot in relief, tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings while striking out three.

Loretto – 5, Community – 0

Hits were hard to come by for Community on Tuesday night, as Loretto rode a strong performance on the mound to a 5-0 shutout win over the Vikings.

Community managed just two hits in the contest, with Wes Haley and Masyn Hill accounting for the only offense. Despite drawing four walks, the Vikings couldn’t string enough hits together enough to break through. Community finished with 14 strikeouts on the night.

Loretto gradually built control of the game, scoring four runs off starter Tyler Wood across six innings. Wood battled throughout, allowing four runs on four hits while striking out five. Haley worked a clean inning in relief, giving up just one unearned run.

Central Magnet – 9, Community – 4

Community stayed within striking distance early, but Central Magnet used a late-game push to pull away for a 9-4 win Thursday night.

The Vikings collected seven hits and showed flashes at the plate, but a four-run seventh inning by Central Magnet proved to be the difference.

Wes Haley led the way offensively with two hits and an RBI, while Dylan Markum added two hits and Tyler Wood drove in a run.

Haley also turned in a strong start on the mound, allowing just one earned run over five innings with five strikeouts.

Kade Hasty took the loss in relief, giving up 6 runs (2 earned) in one inning. Maddox Thompson threw a scoreless seventh inning.

Community – 3, Central Magnet – 2

Community leaned on a strong outing on the mound and just enough timely hitting Friday night, slipping past Central Magnet 3-2 in a tightly contested battle.

Logan Reed worked six gritty innings, allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out five and scattering five walks.

At the plate, the Vikings pieced together seven hits and made them count. Josh Powers and Masyn Hill sparked the offense with two hits apiece, while Wes Haley delivered a key RBI. Hill also drove in two runs, providing the difference in a game where every at-bat carried weight.

After Reed’s strong start, Powers came on in relief and shut the door, tossing a scoreless final inning with two strikeouts to earn the save.

Community (5-14, 0-4), returns to district action on Monday as they travel to Summertown for the first of a two-game series, before hosting the second game on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 P.M.